House votes to repeal ACA's medical device tax

Becker's Hospital Review ^ | July 25, 2018 | Alia Paavola

[buckalfa]

The House voted to repeal a 2.3 percent medical device tax, a provision that both parties have criticized for harming innovation.

The medical device tax was first imposed in January 2013 to help fund the ACA. After harsh criticism from legislators and the medical device industry, Congress passed a two-year suspension of the levy in 2015. While the suspension was set to expire Jan. 1, a stopgap bill signed into law by President Donald Trump Jan. 22, further delayed the medical levy. It was set to take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

The tax applies to products such as pacemakers and artificial joints, not devices directly sold to customers.

The House voted 283-132 to repeal the tax. Critics of the tax said it hinders job growth and innovation. Supporters of the tax said a repeal will deprive the government of about $20 billion over the next decade, according to The Wall Street Journal.

[buckalfa]

Another step in starving ObamaCare. Passage of the repeal in the Senate though would be uncertain with the usual three suspects plus the absence of McShame.

[jalisco555]

Geez, about freaking time. Should have done this a long time ago.

[cuban leaf]

Why is health care so expensive? The government. I’ll call this exhibit 2.3.3.1.

[Zathras]

Knowing these idiots, it probably won’t pass the Senate.

[EagleUSA]

Another OBAMA TAX squashed. WINNING!!!

[rktman]

🔬💉⚗. 🤔 So, anyone think that big MED hasn't been adding the costs to your bills anyway? And probably more than they needed to?

[faithhopecharity]

good. many medical devices do great good for people, some are absolute necessities

they should NOT be taxed!

[treetopsandroofs]

I remember this being the part that hurt veterinarians, too.

[joshua c]

hooray for the house, but these things are better done as part of a bill not standalone. It may not even get to the Senate floor.

Stick it in a bill that you know the Senate wants to pass.

That’s how things get done in Congress.

[Truthoverpower]

Quite a few demoncats joined in
Interesting

[gibsonguy]

Has the so called Cadillac tax been removed? It’s a big issue because the evil bastards didn’t index it so eventually it will hit almost everyone.

[Vigilanteman]

Quite a few Ds come from states (like ours) which make medical devices.

[Scrambler Bob]

Hopefully it will pass.

I need a new toothbrush.

[CatOwner]

What about ACA’s 3.8% surtax on investment income? When is that going to be removed?

[Bonemaker]

“Supporters of the tax said a repeal will deprive the government of about $20 billion over the next decade..”

Screw the government...it deprives American citizens of $20 billion!

[usconservative]

Supporters of the tax said a repeal will deprive the government of about $20 billion over the next decade, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Right, because it's the Government's money and not yours!

[ObozoMustGo2012]

[Passage of the repeal in the Senate though would be uncertain with the usual three suspects plus the absence of McShame. ]

You can bet on the Dem’s in Trump states getting behind this repeal... if they have any hope for re-election.

[Red Badger]

Good.

It was costing some people and arm and a leg................LITERALLY!.................

[1Old Pro]

The WSJ ed pages have jumped the shark.

[grania]

How did that tax last so long? It punishes those who manufacture medical devices in the US.